Tape and mud dispenser



Nov. 26, 1963 K. w. HARMS TAPE AND MUD DISPENSER INVENTOR. KENNETH W.HARMS ATTORNEY? United States Patent 3,112,225 TAPE AND MUD DISPENSERKenneth W. Harms, 194 El Medic St, Ventura, Cah'fi, assignor offifty-two percent to Herman D. Gatling, Uxnard, Calif.

Filed Sept. 5, 1961, Ser. No. 135,805 6 Claims. (Cl. 118-43) Thisinvention relate to a tape and mud dispenser for applying tape strips towall joints and other similar structures in building operations.

Many devices are available for automatically dispensing tape and mud oradhesive paste material simultaneously to facilitate application of tapeto wall, ceiling, or corner joints. Most of these devices are relativelycomplicated and therefore expensive. To effect the desired operations ofdispensing the tape and applying the mastic or mud, as it is called inthe art, to the tape generally required a large number ofinter-connected components. As a consequence, most present day tapeapplicators are relatively difiicult to clean and expensive tomanufacture, and the average residential home owner generally cannotafford to purchase or rent such dispensers for one or two small jobsaround his 'house.

With the above in mind, it is a primary object of this invention toprovide an extremely simple and inexpensive combination tape dispenserand mud applicator primarily designed for use by the individual homeowner to the end that the application of tape may be greatly facilitatedwithout appreciably adding to the expense of the overall ob.

More particularly, it is an object to provide a simple and inexpensivetape and mud dispenser which includes means for holding a roll of tape,controlling the quantity of mud applied to the tape, and means forsevering the tape.

Another important object is to provide an improved tape and muddispenser achieving the foregoing functions with a minimum number ofcomponents, and which is so designed and constructed that itsmanufacture may be carried out for relatively little expense.

St ll another important object is to provide a tape and mud dispenserthat is easy to clean.

Briefly, these and other objects and advantages of this invention areattained by providing a trough structure formed by folding togetherdiagonally opposite corners of a flat sheet of metal about parallel foldlines to define triangular sides extending upwardly from an elongatedrectangular bottom. Secured between adjacent sides by suitable fasteningmeans, there is provided a rear block, the lower transverse edge ofwhich defines with one end of the elongated rectangular bottom a slotfor receiving tape from a roll. The other end of the rectangular bottomterminates in a tape severing means. Also provided is a single integralmetallic strap defining means for holding the roll of tape so that thetape may be fed through the slot and along the bottom surface of therectangular bottom of the trough. The dimensioning of the trough is suchthat the tape is properly guided over the tape severing means at theexit end of the recentagular bottom portion. A simple wiping means isthen provided for metering the quantity of mud actually applied to thetape. A handle may be secured to the back block, if desired, tofacilitate carrying the trough structure.

Except for the wiping means, fastening means for the block, and thehandle, the entire structure constitutes only three basic componentsforming the rear block, trough, and tape roll holding means,respectively. Thus, the manufacture of the device may be carried outextremely inexpensive to the end that the ultimate consumer is able topurchase and use the dispenser without substantially increasing the costof the particular job being car- Patented Nov. 26, 1963 "ice ried out.Further, the assembly is such that the dispenser is very easy to clean.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring tothe preferred embodiment thereof as iilustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a first perspective view of the tape and mud dispenser ofthis invention;

FIGURE 2 is a second perspective view taken from a different aspect fromthat shown in FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross section taken in the direction of thearrows 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, the tape and mud dispenser comprisesgenerally a trough structure formed from a flat sheet of metal havingdiagonally opposite corners folded towards each other about parallelfold lines to define triangular sides It? and i1 and an elongatedrectangular bottom 12 of Width corresponding to the width of tape to bedispensed. The rear adjacent edges 19' and 11 of the triangular sides Itand i1 connect to a rear block 13 as by fasteners f closing the rearportion of the trough and holding the shape of the trough. A simplehandle 14 may be secured to the rear block 13, if desired.

As shown, the lower transverse edge 13' of the rear block 13 defineswith an entrance 12 of the rectangular bottom 12; an elongated slot 15arranged to receive one end of a tape from a roll of tape indicated bythe phantom lines at 1'16. This slot may be properly formed by securingthe rear block 13 in a position between the adjacent sides lfi and 11 ofthe trough structure slightly above the terminating edge 12" of therectangular bottom.

The arrangement is such that the end of the tape from the roll 16 may bereceived in the slot 15 at the entrance end of the rectangular bottom 12and guided along the bottom to pass out the other or exit end of therectangular bottom as shown by the numeral 16'. This exit end of therectangular bottom terminates in a tape severing means as indicated at12'.

As shown in both FIGURES 1 and 2, the roll of tape 16 is supported by asingle elongated integral strap hav ing a first leg 17 secured adjacentto the edge 14) of the triangular side 10. This leg 17 extendsdownwardly for a given distance at least twice as great as the diameterof the tape roll 16 and thence is folded back on itself at 18 andextends upwardly as at 19 for a distance substantially half of saidgiven distance. The strap is then bent laterally to define an aideportion 2t? for the roll 16. Finally, the elongated strap is bentupwardly from the axle portion to define a second leg 2 ft terminatingadjacent to the other triangular side edge 11. This second [leg may betemporarily secured to the triangular side 11 by providing a small notch22 arranged to receive a bolt 23 by securing the triangular plate to therear block 13. A simple Wing nut 24 is provided to clamp the second legportion to the side as shown.

By the foregoing fastening means, it is a simple matter to loosen thewing nut 2 and slide the second leg 21 from the bolt 23. The roll oftape 16 may then be passed over the second leg 21 and onto the axleportion 2% and the second leg then reconnected by means of the wing nutThe tape and mud dispenser is completed by a wiping means for limitingthe quantity of mud applied to the tape as it is pulled from the trough.As shown best in FEGURES 2 and 3, this wiping means takes the form of atubular member 25 having an inside diameter of given dimensionpositioned between portions of the triangular sides in and 11 adjacentthe exit end of the rectangular bottom 12. A bolt 26 of outside diameterconsiderably less than the inside diameter of the tube 25 in turn passesthrough the tube and through the adjacent side portions 3 of thetriangular sides of the trough and is secured by a simple wing nut 27.

With particular reference to FIGURE 3, the foregoing describedarrangement permits the distance of the tube 25 from the exit surface ofthe rectangular bottom portion 12 to be varied by simply loosening thenut 27 and moving the tube 25 in a radial direction such as indicated bythe dotted line position 25' in FIGURE 3. The wing nut 27 is thentightened to frictionally retain the wiping tube in position.

In the operation of the tape and mud dispenser, the end of the tape 16is initially threaded through the slot 15 as shown in FIGURE 1 to liealong the rectangular bottom 12 and is passed under the Wiping tube 25and pulled out a short distance from the exit end over the cutting edge12". The wiping tube itself is adjusted to define a given distancebetween its lower end and the top surface of the tape corresponding tothe desired thickness of mud to be applied to the tape. The troughitself is then filled with mud as indicated at 28 in FIGURE 2.

The operator may then hold the trough either by the handle 14 or bygrasping the rear block portion beneath the handle 14 and pulling thetape 16 from the exit end of the trough. In so pulling the tape, the mudon the top surface thereof will be leveled by the wiping means 25 sothat a uniform thickness of mud is applied to the tape. Generally, thetrough is held in an upright position and the tape twisted, for example,approximately ninety degrees when applying the same to a wall joint. Thetape itself is simply urged onto the joint with the operators free handwhile pulling the same from the trough. When a desired length of tapehas been applied, the operator may grasp the portion of tape adjacentthe cutting edge 12" and sever the tape by pulling it downwardly overthe cutting edge.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that the presentinvention has provided an extremely simple tape and mud dispensingdevice. As mentioned heretofore, with the exception of the handle 14,the wiping roller 25, and the various fastening means, the entirestructure comprises only three basic components: first, the sheet metalwith its diagonally opposite corners folded to define the trough, therear block 13, and the elongated strap defining a means for holding theroll of tape. Thus, the manufacture may be carried out extremelyinexpensively. Moreover, it is a simple matter to clean the device sinceall surfaces are exposed. If necessary, the block 13 and tube 25 may beremoved to facilitate cleaning of the slot and tube, respectively.

Minor modifications that fall within the scope and spirit of theinvention will occur to those skilled in the art. The tape and muddispenser is therefore not to be thought of as limited to the exactembodiment disclosed merely for illustrative purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. A tape and mud dispenser comprising, in combination: a mud storagetrough having an elongated rectangular bottom of width corresponding tothe width of said tape, one end of said bottom constituting an entranceend and defining a slot with a rear portion of said trough for receivingsaid tape so that said tape is guided along said bottom, the other endof said rectangular bottom constituting an exit end from which said tapeemerges; a wiping means disposed adjacent to said exit end in spacedrelationship thereto so that said tape passes under said wiping means,said wiping means removing excess mud from said tape as it is pulledfrom said exit end; and a single integral strap having a first elongatedside leg secured to one side of said trough, said first side legextending downwardly a given distance beyond said slot greater than thediameter of a roll of said tape and thence folding back on itself toextend upwardly for a distance equal to substantially half said givendistance, said strap then being laterally bent to define an axle for aroll of said tape, said strap then bending upwardly from said axle todefine a second side leg; and removable means securing said second sideleg to the other side of said trough, whereby a roll of tape positionedabout said axlc between said legs is properly oriented to have the endof the tape fed into said slot.

2. A tape and mud dispenser according to claim 1, in which said exit endof said rectangular bottom terminates in a tape severing edge forcutting said tape.

3. A tape and mud dispenser comprising, in combination: a mud storagetrough formed from a single metal sheet having diagonally oppositecorners folded towards each other about parallel fold lines to define anelongated rectangular bottom and triangular sides extending upwardlyfrom said bottom; a rear block disposed between adjacent edges of saidtriangular sides and havings its lower transverse end defining a tapereceiving slot with one end of said rectangular bottom, said one endconstituting an entrance end, the other end of said rectangular bottomconstituting an exit end and terminating in a tape cutting means; aholder for a roll of tape comprising a single integral strap of metalhaving a first elongated side leg secured to one of said adjacent edgesand extending downwardly a given distance beyond said slot greater thanthe diameter of said roll of tape, and thence folding back on itself toextend upwardly for a distance equal to substantially half of said givendistance, said strap then being bent laterally to define an axle forsaid roll of tape and thence bent upwardly to define a second legterminating at the other of said adjacent edges; removable fasteningmeans for securing said second leg to said other of said adjacent edges;and a wiping means disposed between the upper side portions of saidtriangular sides adjacent to said exit end of said rectangular bottom,whereby mud within said trough will be applied to one surface of saidtape as said tape is drawn through said slot and guided along thesurface of said rectangular bottom to pass under said wiping means andover said cutting means, said wiping means removing excess mud from saidtape and said cutting means being adapted to sever said tape after adesired length has been pulled from said trough.

4. A tape and mud dispenser according to claim 3, including a handlesecured to the rear surface of said rear block to facilitate carryingsaid dispenser.

5. A tape and mud dispenser according to claim 3, in which said wipermeans comprises a tube having an internal diameter of given dimension; abolt having an outside diameter of substantially smaller dimension thansaid given dimension passing centrally through said tube and throughsaid upper side portions of said triangular sides; and a wing nut onsaid bolt whereby said bolt may be loosened to permit radial positioningof said tube to vary its distance from the exit end of said rectangularbottom.

6. A tape and mud dispenser according to claim 3, in which saidremovable fastening means comprises a threaded bolt passing through theother of said adjacent sides into said rear block, said second leghaving a transverse notch in a position to receive said bolt, wherebytightening of said bolt will secure said second leg in position againstsaid other of said adjacent sides and loosening of said bolt will permitremoval of said second leg to insert a roll of tape thereover and ontosaid axle portion UNITED STATES PATENTS Meyer Sept. 7, 1943 Harrell Nov.4, 1958

1. A TAPE AND MUD DISPENSER COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A MUD STORAGETROUGH HAVING AN ELONGATED RECTANGULAR BOTTOM OF WIDTH CORRESPONDING TOTHE WIDTH OF SAID TAPE, ONE END OF SAID BOTTOM CONSTITUTING AN ENTRANCEEND AND DEFINING A SLOT WITH A REAR PORTION OF SAID TROUGH FOR RECEIVINGSAID TAPE SO THAT SAID TAPE IS GUIDED ALONG SAID BOTTOM, THE OTHER ENDOF SAID RECTANGULAR BOTTOM CONSTITUTING AN EXIT END FROM WHICH SAID TAPEEMERGES; A WIPING MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT TO SAID EXIT END IN SPACEDRELATIONSHIP THERETO SO THAT SAID TAPE PASSES UNDER SAID WIPING MEANS,SAID WIPING MEANS REMOVING EXCESS MUD FROM SAID TAPE AS IT IS PULLEDFROM SAID EXIT END; AND A SINGLE INTEGRAL STRAP HAVING A FIRST ELONGATEDSIDE LEG SECURED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID TROUGH, SAID FIRST SIDE LEGEXTENDING DOWNWARDLY A GIVEN DISTANCE BEYOUND SAID SLOT GREATER THAN THEDIAMETER OF A ROLL OF SAID TAPE AND THENCE FOLDING BACK ON ITSELF TOEXTEND UPWARDLY FOR A DISTANCE EQUAL TO SUBSTANTIALLY HALF SAID GIVENDISTANCE, SAID STRAP THEN BEING LATERALLY BENT TO DEFINE AN AXLE FOR AROLL OF SAID TAPE, SAID STRAP THEN BENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID AXLE TODEFINE A SECOND SIDE LEG; AND REMOVALBE MEANS SECURING SAID SECOND SIDELEG TO THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID TROUGH, WHEREBY A ROLL OF TAPE POSITIONEDABOUT SAID AXLE BETWEEN SAID LEGS IS PROPERLY ORIENTED TO HAVE THE ENDOF THE TAPE FED INTO SAID SLOT.